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Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU review

The Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU offers a big 32 inch screen size, 1440p resolution, and VA panel, making it a big and bold bit with a slow response time.

Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU review

Our Verdict

82%

A big, high-contrast gaming monitor for a good price. It’s not responsive enough for fast-paced esports, but it’s a great all rounder.

The Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU gaming monitor combines a large 32-inch screen size with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and a high-contrast VA panel. The end result should be ideal for up-close gaming and desktop use, as well as sitting back and enjoying fantastic-looking video and games.

 

When it comes to styling, though, the GB3266QSU’s all-black plastic construction tips towards mundane and utilitarian rather than minimalist sleekness. That said, the curve of its impressively slim panel does give it a certain elegance. That curve also helps ensure you get an optimal viewing angle, even for the edges of the screen, which is a legitimate concern for a panel this size when viewed from quite close up.

Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU review

While it may not have a flashy design, this display houses an impressive feature set. The stand offers height, pivot, rotation and tilt adjustment, while round the back are four video inputs, consisting of two DisplayPort and two HDMI inputs (one is limited to 75Hz at the screen’s full resolution). Four is the magic number for USB ports too, with two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 sockets. Add a headphone jack and two 5W speakers that sound better than the typical 2-3W speakers you’ll find on most screen and you’re left wanting for little.

Meanwhile, the 32-inch screen and 2,560 x 1,440 resolution make for a modest pixel density of 91ppi. As such, up close it’s not the sharpest display, and text can look a little rough, but it’s great for gaming and watching video.

Out-of-the-box image quality is good too, with no obvious color imbalance or a sense of a washed-out or overly dark image. In most regards the display impressed in our tests, hitting a perfect gamma score of 2.2 and decent Delta E colour accuracy.

Its contrast of 3,505:1 is decent for a VA panel and comfortably outclasses IPS and TN panels, while its maximum brightness of 427nits impresses. However, the default color temperature was just 5,971K, which is a fair way away from the ideal of 6500K. Also, the display hits 206nits even at minimum brightness, which is a touch too bright even for otherwise illuminated rooms.

Manually adjusting the color balance only helped us improve the color temperature to 6,159K, with a full software calibration required to get colors looking exactly as they should. However, once calibrated there was only a slight difference in color to the naked eye, so we feel comfortable saying that the GB3266QSU’s out-of-the-box state is good enough for most people’s needs.

Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU review

The uniformity of the panel is middling, with an average brightness variance of 5.83 percent and a spot in the bottom right corner dropping by 20 percent. That’s not a major problem for casual use but not ideal for image editing.

In gaming tests, the Iiyama displayed the typical long ghosting trails of VA panels, making it not ideal for fast-paced competitive gaming. However, its 144Hz refresh rate means you still get smooth motion, and its backlight strobing blur reduction at least helps sharpen the image in fast motion.

Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU pros and cons

Pros

  • Large screen for modest price
  • High contrast and good default image quality
  • Solid gaming performance

Cons

  • Chunky pixel density
  • Sluggish response time

Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU specs

The Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU specs list is:

Screen size 32″
Resolution 2,560 x 1,440
Panel technology VA
Maximum refresh rate 144Hz
Stated response time 1ms
Max brightness 400cd/m² SDR
Backlight zones 1
Stated contrast ratio 3,000:1
Adaptive sync FreeSync Premium, G-Sync compatible
Display inputs 2 x DisplayPort, 2 x HDMI
Audio 2 x 5W speakers, Headphone out
Stand adjustment Height, rotation, tilt
Extras 100 x 100mm VESA mount, four-port USB hub (2 x USB 3 up to 900mA, 2 x USB 2 up to 500mA)

Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU price

The Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU is a very low-cost monitor, which is reflected in its drab styling and sluggish response time but it otherwise offers a lot for its price.

Price: Expect to pay $400 / £370

Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU review conclusion

With its big, bold high-contrast image and solid 144Hz gaming performance, the Iiyama GB3266QSU is a great option for those seeking a large screen but don’t want to stretch to a 4K resolution. It also has a solid selection of features for a decent price. Its responsiveness will hold back esports fanatics, but it’s otherwise a good all-rounder.

The Iiyama G-Master GB3266QSU doesn’t make it onto our best gaming monitor list so click on through to find out which do. Is the Iiyama display ideal for your needs, or do you already own one? Let us know your thoughts on the Custom PC Facebook or Twitter pages, or join the discussion on our 350,000+ member Custom PC and Gaming Setup Facebook group.